Delores Laster, 61, has taught first grade in Winter Garden, Florida for 40 years. She was on her way to work this week when law enforcement officials arrested her for the murder of her husband, who was killed on March 20, 1988. Laster had no other criminal record, other than a Kmart shoplifting incident 15 years ago in which the court withheld adjudication and sentenced her to probation.
Delores Laster and her husband Clarence adopted three children together, in addition to the six he had from relationships before he met his wife. Delores Laster called 911 from their Pine Hills home on the date of his death, after she returned from a trip to Gainesville. According to Laster, her husband had left home early the morning before with a person she did not know, and she had not seen her husband since - until she claimed she found him dead at their home.
At the time, Laster hired an attorney and became very protective of the couple's three young children. She did not permit investigators to interview them. Laster told officers that she found her husband's body in the garage of their home, yet all indications suggested that he was killed in their blood-soaked bedroom. Police found no evidence of a burglary, nor any suggestion that the motive was theft - even Clarence's wallet remained in open view, untouched on the bedside table.
Two of the couple's children, who were 10 and 12 at the time of their father's murder, were interviewed by investigators reviewing cold cases this year. Although the evidence that led to their mother's arrest has not yet been made public, law enforcement officials say it was information derived from those conversations that made the arrest of Delores Laster possible now, 21 years after the death of Clarence Laster. Investigators explored whether or not the couple had a history of domestic violence, but found no indication that such activity was occurring prior to the murder. Delores Kester is currently being held without bond in Orange County.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in Florida, contact the criminal defense lawyers at Musca Law.
Delores Laster and her husband Clarence adopted three children together, in addition to the six he had from relationships before he met his wife. Delores Laster called 911 from their Pine Hills home on the date of his death, after she returned from a trip to Gainesville. According to Laster, her husband had left home early the morning before with a person she did not know, and she had not seen her husband since - until she claimed she found him dead at their home.
At the time, Laster hired an attorney and became very protective of the couple's three young children. She did not permit investigators to interview them. Laster told officers that she found her husband's body in the garage of their home, yet all indications suggested that he was killed in their blood-soaked bedroom. Police found no evidence of a burglary, nor any suggestion that the motive was theft - even Clarence's wallet remained in open view, untouched on the bedside table.
Two of the couple's children, who were 10 and 12 at the time of their father's murder, were interviewed by investigators reviewing cold cases this year. Although the evidence that led to their mother's arrest has not yet been made public, law enforcement officials say it was information derived from those conversations that made the arrest of Delores Laster possible now, 21 years after the death of Clarence Laster. Investigators explored whether or not the couple had a history of domestic violence, but found no indication that such activity was occurring prior to the murder. Delores Kester is currently being held without bond in Orange County.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in Florida, contact the criminal defense lawyers at Musca Law.
